Clippers News: 9x All-Star Picking Up Player Option Amid Exit Rumors Might Aggravate Warriors’ $30 Million Dilemma

The rumor mill is brewing some dejecting news for the Los Angeles Clippers. Paul George, a two-way phenom, is set to enter free agency if he decides to opt-out. Obviously, it will have implications throughout the roster. Reports say James Harden is monitoring George’s situation and will decide his future based on his movement. In it all, it leaves Kawhi Leonard stranded without a star teammate. Well, now he can relax a little after the latest news.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the 9x All-Star Russell Westbrook will be returning for the final year of his contract. He will pick up his $4 million player option and play out his entire 2-year $7.8 million contract. Westbrook played a crucial part for the Clippers last season. He isn’t running off for a triple-double every night, but his facilitation has been instrumental.

For the Clippers, it’s the perfect player to retain. He doesn’t command a high salary and if needed can be an attachable piece in trade talks. On the other hand, the Warriors might be kicking themselves. The Bay has been after Paul George as the most sought-after option to replace Klay Thompson. There were murmurs that Chris Paul wants a Lob City return. His $30.8 million would be an incredible inclusion in a trade for George. But with Westbrook returning, the need for a backup point guard fades, essentially closing the door to Paul’s return to LA.

In his first full season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Brodie averaged 11.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Westbrook stayed healthy for the most part of the season, playing 68 games for the Clippers. Additionally, he also displayed his qualities of being a team-first man when he willingly shifted to the bench on the arrival of James Harden.

Warriors might have to waive Chris Paul

With Westbrook running things back with the Clippers contractually at least, the Bay’s trade options have further slimmed down. According to Bleacher Report, the Warriors did discuss waiving off Paul’s $30.8 million contract. But the franchise decided they would give the ‘Point God’ a fair chance to find suitors and if possible develop a trade strategy for the aging veteran for which the date on his guaranteed contract was pushed back.

Paul was a key contributor in the 58 games he did play for the Warriors As the lead facilitator, he curtailed Stephen Curry’s ball-handling responsibilities. Instead, the Baby Face Assassin was allowed the freedom to use his extreme stamina while Paul would find him in the pockets of spaces.

Chris Paul wasn’t a bad member of the team at all. He averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists as the second-unit playmaker. However, his reduced shooting numbers just didn’t fit well with the organization’s hopes to compete for a title in the coming season. Additionally, Joe Lacob also wants to dip below the luxury tax barrier. That almost certainly requires the Warriors to waive CP3 unless they find a suitable partner for him.

How do you think this saga will end? Let us know your views in the comments below.